Photographer&#39;s dark-room safety knife



Mamh 1931- M. J. LECLERC I PHOTOGRAPHERS DARK ROOM SAFETY KNIFE Filed Sept. 5, 1929 Patented Mar. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES MOISE J". LECLERG, F FLUSHING, NEW YORK PHOTOGRAPHERS DARK-ROOM SAFETY KNIFE Application filed September This invention relates to photographers appliances, and has particular .reference to a dark room safety knife for opening packages containing photographic plates, photographic paper, and other articles which must not be exposed to the light.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved device of the character described having improved means for gaging the l1ne along which a package is to be cut.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the nature set forth which is adapted to safely contain a blade and which may be manipulated by a slngle hand for suitably exposing the blade and conveniently utilizing the device in opening a package neatly along the edges thereof.

Another object of the invention is to furnish an improved device of the type specified having a plurality of relatively movable members between which a bladeis detachably received with the means for holding the blade cooperating to determine the said relative movement.

A still further object of the invention is to construct a device of the species alluded to which comprises fewer and simple parts, is adapted to be inexpensively manufactured and assembled, is neat and reliable in operation, is adapted to replaceably rece1ve any suitable blade as, for example, one that is of the type that is used for shaving and canbe at all times conveniently manipulated and with a high degree of safety in absolute darkness.

Other objects and advantages-of the invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists in the novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated on the annexed drawing, wherein like parts are designated bythe same reference characters throughout the several views.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a device in closed position embodying the invention.

5, 1929. Serial No. 390,443.

Fig. 2 is .a similar view thereof in open position.

Fig. 3'is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Figs. 4: and 5 are views separately showing the two relatively movable members between which the blade is positioned.

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined 1n one and the same structure, but, useful devices may be produced embodying less than the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, that the .65 same may be incorporated in several difierent constructions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merely as showing the preferred exemplification of the invent1on.

Generally described, this device provides a safety or gage knife which can be used to cut any article as may be desired along a predetermined line. One possible applicat on of the invention which illustrates a particular advantage thereof is in the use of the device as a photographers dark room safety knife. With respect to photographic supplies which must be opened in the entire absence of light, the opening of packages is frequently found to be troublesome. By tlllS. invention the package may be neatly and conveniently severed along the edges thereof so as to avoid anyinjury to the contents of the package and to permit convenient removal of the said contents. For this purpose it may be stated that theinvention provides a gage so that the knife may be rapidly run along the edges of the package, and, furthermore, the device is preferably manipulated by a single hand which grasps the same in closed position and opens the deviceand applies the same forthe cutting operation mentioned. One possible illustrative embodiment of the invention dis- 9 closed herein shows a pair of relatively movable members forining therebetween a seating surface for the reception of any suitable blade as, for example, one of a popular-type that is used .in shaving and l includes a plurality of holes extending in spaced relation therealong. An offset at the seat provides a gage portion that extends beyond an end of the blade. At an end of the device opposite to the gage portion is a finger piece for opening the device to expose the cutting end portion of .the blade. Acting between the said members is a fastening that extends through one hole of the blade and a projecting part ,which extends through another hole of the blade to fixedly position the same. One of the members has a slot for accommodating the fastening and the projection and whereby the slotted member is guided in its movement in opening and closing the device.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 10 denotes a :device embodying the invention. The same is made of any suitable material,

-whether metal, wood, :or composition, but

preferably it is intended to use :ba'kelite which lends itself readily to molding operations and permits the inexpensive production of the device in large quantities and in a particularly neat form. Within the scope of the invention it is contemplated that various .types of well known blades may be used, and that the device may be changed in shapeand construction to accommodate or conform with the particular blade that may be employed. It is preferred, however, according to .one form of the invention herein disclosed to use :a well 'known blade 11, of the type that is used in shaving, and has a double cutting edge 12 and a plurality of spaced holes 13 and 1d :along the central longitudinal axis of the. blade.

The said device 10 includes :a pair of longitudinally relatively movable members 15 and 16 providing therebetween a seat 17 for the reception of the blade. The :said :m-embers 15 .and 16 may conform generally to the shape of the bladeand are somewhat larger than the same :so .as to provide an ample margin extending beyond the blade all around. the same for safely housing the blade. v t

The member 16 hasa recess er offset 18 in its seat whereby one endof the said memberis a gage 19. Along the central longitudinal axis .of the said member are provided suitable holding means including :a threaded hole '20 which may be intermediate the ends ofthe said member :and a projection 21 spaced from the'said hole :and in relative proximity to the opposite end of the base member.

The member 15 may be in the nature of a cover and preferably consists of a thin sheet of plane material. Extendingalong the :central longitudinal axis of this member is a slot 22 which is adapted to receive the projection 21 and to register with the hole 20. At one end of the cover is:a projecting portion or finger piece 23 remote from the gage '19 and beyond the end of'the blade.

opened for replacement of the blade 11.

with the central circular hole in registry with the hole 20 of the base member. As thus positioned, one end of the blade extends along th recess 18-and in spaced relation to the gage 19., the latter, however extending somewhat Then the cover is applied with the projection 21 received in the slot 22 and the finger piece 23 at an end of the device opposite the gage 19. Any suitable fastening is used to movably secure together the base and cover members 15, 16, which fastening may for the sake of simplicity be in the nature of a screw 25 which is passed through the slot 22 and threaded into the 'hole 20. A moderate degree of tension is applied to the screw to permit the required movement in the device, but with a slight degree of friction. The screw may be slightly tight in the .hole 20 so as not to come accidentally loose therefrom. The kerf 26 of the screw may be sufficiently large to permit the screw to be turned by a coin such as a dime so that the device may always be conveniently As thus assembled, the projection 21 and screw 25 hold the blade rigidly in position, while at the same time serving as a guide means for "the movement of the cover 15 and also limiting the said movement in the opening and closing positions.

When the device is in closed position as shown in Fig. 1, the members 15 and 16 are substantially co-extensive, with the cutting end portion of the blade protected between the cover and the gage 19. In this position the device possesses a great deal of strength so that it'can not be broken or mutilated by being subjected to accidental rough usage. It is neat and compact, and can be easily packed away :or even carried in the pocket.

The operator graspsthe device, and holding the same with a single hand, moves the cover into open position and applies the device for severing an article or cutting open a package P. It will be appreciated that either edge 12 of the blade can be used. Since only a small end portion of the blade is exposed when the device is open, any danger of the operator cutting his hand upon the blade is eliminated. In fact, it will be noted that the adjacent end 27 of the cover member acts as an additional protector, being in relatively close proximity to the exposed end of the blade, and extending laterally therefrom. Thus the gage and the cover member co-operate both in the open and closed positions of the device-to protect the cutting end portion of the blade.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a device which fulfills the several objects of the invention and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described, including a plurality of longitudinally relatively movable members, and a stationary blade therebetween having opposite cutting edges extending in the direction of movement of the members, one of said members forming a laterally spaced gage for the blade solely at the corners of one end thereof, said members completely enclosing the cutting edges in one position of the members and in another position exposing said corners.

2. A device of the character described, including a knife carrying member, an end of said member forming a gage for the knife, and a second member movable along the knife carrying member to cover or expose solely an end portion of the knife, the knife having opposite cutting edges extending parallel to the direction of movement of the second member.

3. A photographers dark room safety knife, including a member, said member having means for fixedly holding a blade spaced therefrom, a gage on said member associated with the blade, and a cover for the blade movably mounted on the member on a side of the blade opposite to the gage and movable adjacent to the gage to cover the portion of the blade at the gage.

4.. A photographers dark room safety knife, including a member having means for fixedly engaging a knife, said member having at one end thereof a gage for the adjacent end of the knife, and a cover for the knife movable along said member to expose said adjacent end of the knife, the knife being otherwise completely enclosed, said cover and said gage being on opposite sides of the knife to guard the same.

5. A photographers dark room safety knife including a member having a seat for a blade, an offset portion constituting a gage for the blade, said member having a projection in said seat to engage in a hole in the blade, a cover for the blade movable along said member to expose an end of the blade, the opposite edges of the blade being otherwise completely enclosed, said blade having opposite edges extending parallel to the direction of'movement, said cover having a slot for the said projection, and fastening means to secure the cover to the member, said fastening means passing through said slot and through a second hole in the blade and engaging in the member.

6. A photographers dark room safety knife including a replaceable blade having a plurality of holes therethrough spaced along the same, a member larger than the blade, and having a seat therefor, said member extending beyond all the cutting edges of the blade, said member having a recess in an end of the seat whereby one end of the member that extends beyond an end of the blade constitutes a gage for the same, the member having a hole to register with one of the holes of the blade, and a projection to engage in another hole of the blade, a cover for the blade movable along the member and adapted to extend into registry with the gage end of the handle, said cover being movable away from said gage end to expose the end of the blade for cutting, said cover having a slot to receive said projection, and a fastening passing through the slot and registering holes of the blade and the member to engage in the latter, with the projection and the fastening acting as a guide means for the cover at the slot.

7. A device adapted to be held in and operated by the hand including a pair of longitudinally relatively movable members, means for holding a blade therebetween, with the cutting edges of the blade extending longitudinally of the members, an end portion only of the blade being exposed by movement of one of the members with respect to the other, and a gage on the latter member coacting with an end of the blade and spaced from the plane thereof.

8. A device as set forth in claim 7 wherein Y the gage is of integral construction with its supporting member and is formed by a recess in the supporting member, and fastening means for the members having threaded engagement in the supporting member.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

MOISE J. LEGLERO. 

